Kids Are All Right: Many age groups, programs comprise Scouts

I've received some questions recently that tell me it's time to give curious readers a quick primer in Boy Scout and Girl Scout terms.

The main questions I get relate to, what are the appropriate programs for various age groups? So here's what's available for both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

The Boy Scout program begins at age 6 or first grade. Those boys are called Tigers. They may wear the blue uniform or a colorful (often orange) T-shirt.

Second-grade age boys are Wolves and third-graders are Bears. They also wear the blue uniform with a gold (Wolf) or light blue (Bear) neckerchief.

Fourth and fifth-grade boys are Webelos. They can wear the blue uniform or the khaki-colored Boy Scout shirt. They can be identified by the plaid patterns on their caps and neckerchiefs.

An 11-year-old boy in fifth grade is eligible for Boy Scouts, which runs until age 18. This is when they get more into the outdoors activities. They can begin work on the Eagle Scout rank, the highest rank in Scouting. It is preceded, in order, by Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star and Life.

At age 14, Boy Scout programs are open to girls as well. This is the Venture program. A Venture Crew normally selects a career or common interest and builds their program around that. Youths can remain in a Venture Crew until age 21.

Girl Scouts begin in kindergarten and first grade as Daisys. They often wear a blue vest or tunic over a T-shirt. Brownies, grades 2-3, wear tunics and sashes that are — what else? — brown, perhaps the most recognizable of the Girl Scout uniforms. Juniors are girls in grades 4-5; their color is green.

Cadettes (grades 6-8), seniors (grades 9-10) and ambassadors (11-12) have a variety of uniforms. The formal uniform is a khaki vest worn over a white or blue top and khaki pants. Their programs vary greatly, as girls at this age have a wide range of interests.

Briefly about Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops: Girl Scout troops are usually small, often no more than six or eight girls of similar age. The same troop often begins at an early age and, with minimal changes, continues until girls reach high school.

Cub Scouts (first grade through age 11) meet in dens of six to eight, which in turn are part of a pack. A pack can have anywhere from five boys to dozens. Each den runs its own program, and the entire pack meets monthly or for bigger events.

Boy Scouts can be of similar size. Boys are split into six to eight-boy patrols, each with a name such as Ravens, Foxes, Eagles, Flaming Arrow, etc. The entire troop meets together, but the patrol may occasionally do something on their own.

Next week we'll take a look at some of the major awards that Scouts can earn.